Bois du Portugal changes?

Hi

I'm getting lower on my BDP ( 75ml - so a few years old ) bottle of this and I read couple of people saying that the newer stuff ( 50ml and 100ml bottles ) is not so good. Is this true or not? It seems Creed can be a bit of a gamble as I recently tried some Royal Out which was not as I remembered and therefore no longer something I would buy.

I could order a decant to try but there's not guarantee it would be new so I'm wondering if it's worth blind buying or if this has changed a fair bit?

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Couldn't you go into a brick and mortar store near you, try it out and judge for yourself?

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Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Yes I could and you're right; I probably should if that would guarantee a reliable sample. I will need to plan a trip as it's a bit of a journey to the nearest one that would sell it so I thought I'd ask the knowledgable folks on here.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

I have both a "new" version of BdP and a "vintage" one (1990s). The vintage one definitely smells better. I think the lavender is more prominent in the opening of the vintage (compared to a stronger bergamot in the current) and the drydown is deeper and better in the vintage - I think the vintage actually used the magical mysore sandalwood, whereas the current stuff uses whatever sandalwood they use now.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

I haven't heard of any changes to Bois du Portugal. It's my opinion that any differences people smell are due to maceration of the bottle. Most of my Creed fragrances have gotten more rich smelling.

Originally Posted by Diamond Joe

I have both a "new" version of BdP and a "vintage" one (1990s). The vintage one definitely smells better. I think the lavender is more prominent in the opening of the vintage (compared to a stronger bergamot in the current) and the drydown is deeper and better in the vintage - I think the vintage actually used the magical mysore sandalwood, whereas the current stuff uses whatever sandalwood they use now.

While ingredient variations may make a difference between batches of extreme age difference, I think Tspencer has the right idea about maturation of Creed. It's sorta one of their selling points too.

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Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Originally Posted by Diamond Joe

I have both a "new" version of BdP and a "vintage" one (1990s). The vintage one definitely smells better. I think the lavender is more prominent in the opening of the vintage (compared to a stronger bergamot in the current) and the drydown is deeper and better in the vintage - I think the vintage actually used the magical mysore sandalwood, whereas the current stuff uses whatever sandalwood they use now.

The vintage bottles are way better by far. Back before the BDP was introduced in the 120ml size bottles and the absence of the green labels they have now the juice carried a significant punch. It was quite full bodied and carried a vintage style feel the stuff that was seen during the 1980s and well into the 1990s.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Decided to wear this gem today after pondering the differences last night. My wife forbids me from wearing this masterpiece in her presence, it's her most despised fragrance for some reason (she says it smells too "old man", but no idea why the hate for it is so high) so I can only wear it when I'm working..

Put three sprays (vintage) on my collarbones and chest, and a spray on the back of each hand/arm. One arm vintage, the other current. The vintage definitely has more weight to it, if that makes any sense, more.. depth? more gravity? The current stuff seems a bit lighter, a bit more airy. I do feel like the current stuff has a little bit stronger citrus (and maybe vetiver?) where the vintage is more lavender and that glorious creamy sandalwood, which definitely feels stronger and richer to me in the vintage version.

At the end of the day, they (obviously) smell very similar, and the differences could definitely be attributed to maturation/maceration (shoot, my vintage bottle is 30 years old!) but I do think the ingredients used were of a higher quality (again - real mysore sandalwood vs regular sandalwood?) and my preference is absolutely for the vintage. I feel lucky to own an early 90's (pre 120ml) bottle. Either way, its truly magnificent stuff in my opinion.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

IMG_20181225_103356975.jpg
Last year I bought a 2016 bottle off Fragnet, really liked it, and bought a backup 2018 bottle from incenza. They're clearly different in appearance, smell, and ingredients listed but with that said the new stuff is still solid. Just missing a little something to me. Attached are my 2 BDPs

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Originally Posted by Diamond Joe

My wife forbids me from wearing this masterpiece in her presence, it's her most despised fragrance for some reason (she says it smells too "old man", but no idea why the hate for it is so high) so I can only wear it when I'm working..

I had a bottle in 1995. My wife loved it on me, and I also got a compliment at the office. I was 27.

I bought a newer bottle about 5 years ago. My wife reacted the same as yours. I quickly sold it off. She said it was "an old man smell".

At 52, I'll be there soon enough, I don't need my cologne accelerating the pace.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

It has changed a lot since I started wearing it. BdP has been one of my favorites over the past 10+ years and I have several backup bottles (including a vintage backup bottle that is currently FS dated to 2002).

I made a point of trying as many batches as I could because there were subtle variations in every one of them. Some are sweeter and "dense" in texture while others are more dry cedar/woodsy with a crispness and slight "green pepper" accord. I've received many compliments wearing this fragrance from coworkers, friends, family, and random people in public. I only need 2-3 sprays. Anything more and it does become overbearing.

Newer batches omit the natural bergamot and lavender from the opening. The dry-down doesn't have the same rich sandalwood/woods + ambergris medley and instead fades rapidly into a less opulent and luxurious base that smells synthetic and cheap. A lot of the reformulated Creed fragrances tend to open smelling quite similar to the vintages but it's downhill from there. I would say that they capture the overall idea of the fragrance but it's lacking the depth provided by the natural ingredients they once used.

BdP ages nicely when stored properly and I will always have at least one bottle of it in my wardrobe. I'm not sure if I would be able to adjust to wearing the new batches because I don't get the same satisfaction from them. I'm not sure when BdP's biggest reformulation(s) took place, however, I would look for the 75ml/120ml bottles with the older style of sprayer.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Originally Posted by Fwilko

IMG_20181225_103356975.jpg
Last year I bought a 2016 bottle off Fragnet, really liked it, and bought a backup 2018 bottle from incenza. They're clearly different in appearance, smell, and ingredients listed but with that said the new stuff is still solid. Just missing a little something to me. Attached are my 2 BDPs

For the record. My juice color in my bottles have gotten darker over time. So, you cannot judge the color of the juice in a newer version. For example, my bottles of Royal Water, Royal Mayfair and Bois du Portugal all three got 'darker' color juice in the last 3 years (and those bottle releases are about 3 years apart). None of the other clear-glass bottles have shifted in color, but those 3 have developed and gotten much, much richer over time.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Interesting to hear these experiences. The bottle I currently own is not vintage but is one of the 75ml ones and less than 5 years old so I'm not sure how different it would be from the 50ml bottles. TBH I'm not really motivated enough to look for ( and pay for ) a vintage bottle so I will wait until my next visit to the shop and see how I feel when I spray it. If it fits the bill I will buy but if not then it will join Royal Oud as being a Creed victim of reformulation, and Aventus as being too unreliable ( IMHO ) to spend that kind of cash on.

Mind you I do notice with Creed perfume age affects it massively so I'm not even sure the store spray will answer my question fully either.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

I love old fashioned fougeres and chypres. But the new bottle of bdp i got was quite harsh and somehow just did not come together untill the drydown... which was great. But i have not smelled the vintage.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

I own an older bottle, prior to when Creed started using labels on the bottles. It’s nuclear strength. One spray under the shirt, no more, and you’re good all day. A frequent compliment-getter, but you have to wear it with the right clothes and attitude. Never appropriate for warm weather. Not right for shorts and a t-shirt. Great for formal and business wear. Any newer bottles I’ve sniffed don’t hold a candle to vintage formulations.

I wear BdP frequently to NFL games, but only in cold weather. BdP blooms in warmer temperatures. Don’t go there.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Originally Posted by mrcologneguy

I own an older bottle, prior to when Creed started using labels on the bottles. It’s nuclear strength. One spray under the shirt, no more, and you’re good all day. A frequent compliment-getter, but you have to wear it with the right clothes and attitude. Never appropriate for warm weather. Not right for shorts and a t-shirt. Great for formal and business wear. Any newer bottles I’ve sniffed don’t hold a candle to vintage formulations.

I wear BdP frequently to NFL games, but only in cold weather. BdP blooms in warmer temperatures. Don’t go there.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Originally Posted by MegaMav

I'll wear it when I want. Thanks.

Go for it. If you’re comfortable with it, great. I just kind of scared myself with it once or twice. Disapproving reactions from friends and innocent bystanders. I love BdP. Just prefer to be cautious with it.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

I prefer the richer scent structure of older bottles, the drydown in particular being truly stellar. Don’t get me wrong as I don’t think newer bottles are necessarily bad, older ones just have something about them. Aging I’m sure plays an enormous part of the differences however its not the only part of the puzzle - the sandalwood is exquisitely moreish in older bottles. Also newer bottles don’t list oakmoss (Evernia Prunastri) as an ingredient where older ones did and its reflected in the tenacity of scent. I happily wear this year round but I also go easier on sprays in hot weather and opt for my newer bottle in summer which has lighter projection. My older bottles project enormously for hours and easily last a day.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Originally Posted by Sheik Yerbouti

I prefer the richer scent structure of older bottles, the drydown in particular being truly stellar. Don’t get me wrong as I don’t think newer bottles are necessarily bad, older ones just have something about them.

Feel the same way.

Remember that while it is perfectly acceptable to criticize the content of a post - criticizing the poster is not.
Mean spirited, nasty, snide, sarcastic, hateful, and rude individuals on Basenotes don't warrant or deserve my or other Basenoters' acknowledgement or respect.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Originally Posted by Fwilko

IMG_20181225_103356975.jpg
Last year I bought a 2016 bottle off Fragnet, really liked it, and bought a backup 2018 bottle from incenza. They're clearly different in appearance, smell, and ingredients listed but with that said the new stuff is still solid. Just missing a little something to me. Attached are my 2 BDPs

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Originally Posted by Beck

Right: Bois du Portugal. Left: Bois du Lisbon.

I would put a $50 bet down that if you took another picture in 3 years the bottle on the left will have darker juice. I own Creeds and 3 of my bottles have significantly darkened since I first bought them 3 years ago. One of those bottles is, in fact, a 2.5oz bottle of Bois du Portugal.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Bois Du Portugal is my daily fragrance since almost 5 years now.

I started using my new 100ml bottle since last week. The first few days I was disappointed as I thought it has lost its character and longevity, but after 5 days use, I see no difference in the drydown compared to my previous bottles.
Of the new bottle I would say the opening changed a bit but the drydown (that I care most) is the same.

So, for me all is still good. (Though I admit the old batches had a great opening).

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

I've always found the opening on "current" Bois du Portugal (read: from the last decade) a bit challenging, even on bottles that have sat for a while. There's something really stuffy and harsh about it. But the drydown is good.

Re: Bois du Portugal changes?

Originally Posted by Brooks Otterlake

I've always found the opening on "current" Bois du Portugal (read: from the last decade) a bit challenging, even on bottles that have sat for a while. There's something really stuffy and harsh about it. But the drydown is good.

I'm the same way. The opening isn't great but the rest of it is amazing.